Swivel joint



June 15, 1937. A, P. F x 2,083,599

' SWIVEL JOINT Filed March 25, 1935 FIG 535 Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,083,599 SWIVEL JOINT Alexander P. Fox, University Cit, Mo., assignor to Lincoln Engineering Company, St. Louis, Mo., a'corporation of Missouri Application March 23, 1935, Serial No. 12,593

' 1 Claim. I (CI. 285-9) for obtaining a relatively free rot-ation while the interiorof the swivel is under pressure, and at the same time preserving said packing against distortion under various applications of extraneous force to the members of the swivel; and the provision of a device of the class described which is simpleto manufacture and assemble and which is trouble-proof in operation. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of 4 construction, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which: will be indicated in the following claim.

In the accompanying drawing, in which are illustrated twoof various possible forms of the invention, I

Fig. 1 is a cross section showing a straight form of the invention; and, Fig. 2 is a section showing an angle type.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at numeral I a threaded nipplehaving a wrench engaging portion 3, and at numeral 3 a second threaded nipple having a wrench engaging portion I. These nipples I and I are to have a afreeswivelingrrelationship.

The nipple I is counterbored'as shown at numeral 3 and at the base of the counterbore there is provided areamed pilot bearing II which has a free, rotatable flt with a cylindric pilot extension I3 from said nipple 5. A passage I! through the nipple 5 carries fluid and aligns with the passage I 'I through the nipple I.

' The hollow extension I3 is accurately cylindrlc on its outside, thus forming with the counterbore 3, an annular recess for carrying a packing ring I3. This ring is resilient andpreferably composed of laminations of radially arranged fabric integrated in resilient material. 'Ihe end of the counterbore 3 is provided with a faced portion 2i upon which forms a bearing for a metallic washer 23. A hollow nut 23 is screw threaded on to the portion of the nipple I which surrounds the counterbore 9. The nut 25 is provided with an internal shoulder 21, which screws down against the washer 23, holding the same tightly against the end of the counterbore 3.

The washer 23 has an opening 23 which freely 5 accommodates the extension I3 and which is beveled rearwardly as shown at numeral 3|. The bevel is preferable, though not necessary. It is preferable, because it permits of a filleted formation of the portion between said extension I3 and 10 a flange 33 provided on said nipple 5. The flange 33 fits into a counterbore 35 of the nut 25. Directly behind the flange 33 is a bearing shoulder 31 on nut 25 for engaging the flange. The distance between the shoulder 31 and face of washl5 er 23 is slightly greater than the thickness of the flange 33, thus permitting free rotation. The limited width of the shoulder reduces friction.

Behind the flange 33 is a peripheral recess 33 for reducing peripheral frictional contact, a 20 flange ll providing endwise steadying means.

From the above it will be seen that the nut 25 holds the washer 23 rigidly in connection with the counterbored portion of the nipple I so that a convenient, inwardly directed holding flange is 25 effected by the washer for the packing l3. At the same time the nipple Scarrying the radial flange 33 may be readily assembled with the nut 25 while a step-bearing is eflected'between the nipple s and the nut 25. It will be understood 30 i that the clearances between the flanges 33 and 4| and the surrounding portions are such as to permit free rotation. a

Furthermore, the ability of the front end of the} extension I3 to rotate without excessive play in 35 the bearing portion I I, effects a guiding pilot action so that under extraneous forces on, the nipples I or 5 there is no distorting strain placed upon the packing I3. It is to be understood that the bearing II is reamed and that the nipple I5 40 is suitably finished to provide accurate alignment and free rotation.

In Fig. -2 like numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, however, there is substituted for the nipple I, a body portion 2 having a side 45 outlet with nipple I, the nipple 5 extending into a'similar body 2. In this embodiment the -flange ll and groove 39 are eliminated. The combination of the two swiveled joints arranged at right angles .to one another effects a joint which is '50 universal. Attention is' called to the simplicity with which the article may be manufactured. The washer 23 is in effect a flxed but removable flange associated with the nipple I and nut 23, its removability I56 effecting ease of application of the packing I9 and ease of assembly of the rotatable, flanged nipple 5 within the nut 25.

The packing l9, it should be understood, is not compressed against the bottom of the counterbore 9 by the washer 23. This packing has a snug fit, both on the nipple extension l3 and against the wall of the counterbore 9. Thus when fluid leaks past the bearing H, its leakage past the packing is incipiently prevented and thereafter pressure built up behind the packing within the counterbore presses the packing endwise. This causes the packing to expand radially to further increase the seal. However, none of these functions interferes deleteriously with the free rota=- tion of the two parts at the bearing per se. The

packing I9 is not of a type that transmits any hydraulic pressure to the nipple extension l3 by any direct radial component of compression, such as'does the packing of U. S. Patent 1,460,154. The only radial force exerted by the packing on the nipple is that limited amount arising from some radial expansive response of the packing material to the axial compression on the packing effected by such hydraulic pressure as is exerted upon the packing. This is due to the shape of the packing which excludes any lip-like portion adjacent to and touching the nipple extension l3. The bearings are not used to take up the end thrusts caused by squeezing any packing.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the,

several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from thescope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description posed between flxed flanges attached to the body portion, and a cylindrical extension rotatably disposed in said pilot bearing and having an axial passage therethrough, a substantially non-distortable packing in said counterbore resting against a fixed flange on the body and engaging the rotatablecylindrical extension on the nipple, the packing being so shaped that the pressure exerted by the fluid on the packing is transmitted to the body member and the fixed flange and so that the only radial force exerted by the packing on the nipple is that force which is indirectly received by way of the axial compression of the packing material.

ALEXANDER P. FOX. 

